DCSD In the News – March 2014

Board vote bonds traditional opponents — 3/31/14 (Highlands Ranch Herald)
The Douglas County School Board’s recent decision to restrict public comment has had an unexpected impact, at least momentarily uniting many who traditionally have stood on opposite sides of the board’s decisions.

Board member drafting policy in wake of vote — 3/28/14 (Lone Tree Voice)
Concern about the process used to appoint the newest Douglas County School Board member has prompted board member Judi Reynolds to draft guidelines for future appointments.

Public comment policy changes at school board meetings — 3/26/14 (Highlands Ranch Herald)
The Douglas County Board of Education passed a resolution March 25 that sharply reduces time allotted for general public comment, but leaves discretion to the board president to allow more.

Suicides spur alumni to act — 3/25/14 (Castle Rock News-Press)
Kate Muus was a 16-year-old Douglas County High School student when she lost one of her friends to suicide. The Castle Rock resident now is the mother of a 2-year-old, but her heart is still with the students at DCHS.

Mountain Vista senior receives press honor — 3/24/14 (Highlands Ranch Herald)
Mountain Vista High School’s journalism program continues to gain recognition. Senior Taylor Blatchford, co-editor of the program, was named Colorado High School Student Journalist of the Year by the Colorado High School Press Association. She also won the 2014 Dorothy Greer scholarship.

Your Voice: Let the sun shine in Douglas County School District — 3/20/14 (YourHub/Denver Post)
In celebration of Sunshine Week, I wanted to try to illuminate some serious concerns I have regarding the Douglas County School District. For a school district that touts its transparency, I would like to know why citizens were told they would need to file a CORA (Colorado Open Records Act) request to obtain the names of the 11 people who applied for the vacant school board seat. Where did the money come from to create and implement the Pay for Performance System after the voters rejected it in 2011? Whose shadow are we under?

Douglas County proposes new facility for special education — 3/20/14 (YourHub/Denver Post)
The Douglas County School District is proposing to build a facility in the district that would house special-needs students in kindergarten through eighth grade, in part to free up space during a time of rising capital construction costs.

School board proposes new change to public comment — 3/19/14 (Lone Tree Voice)
A proposed change to the public comment portion of the Douglas County School Board of Education meetings prompted one concerned board member to read a portion of the First Amendment, and one of the board’s strongest supporters to speak against the idea. The board nevertheless moved a step closer to implementing the change during a special March 18 meeting.

Six finalists chosen for open school board seat — 3/19/14 (Lone Tree Voice)
The Douglas County Board of Education chose six finalists for the vacant District F seat during a special meeting March 18. They will select and swear in the new board member from among those six during a March 25 meeting.

Mountain Vista earns top tech awards — 3/18/14 (Highlands Ranch Herald)
Five years ago, Mountain Vista High School didn’t have a Technology Student Association. Today, a case in the school’s main hallway shines with medals earned by TSA members, who launched the group to a top spot in the Colorado TSA State Leadership Exposition. And a spot in June’s national competition in Maryland.

Highlands Ranch teens react to recent suicides — 3/18/14 (Highlands Ranch Herald)
After four Douglas County students committed suicide in the span of 11 days earlier this year, two Highlands Ranch teens are responding by reaching out.

Mountain Vista bringing old schedule back — 3/17/14 (Lone Tree Voice)
After two years on a block schedule, Mountain Vista High School will return to the more traditional class periods for the 2014-15 academic year. At least four other Douglas County School District high schools want to follow suit.

School district creates burrito company – 3/14/14 (Channel 9 News)
When the Douglas County School District’s Executive Chef Jason Morse wanted to create a new idea to keep students from leaving the cafeteria at lunch, he turned to the students for answers.

Parents of Sandy Hook survivor talk safety in Parker — 3/14/14 (Channel 9 News)
A Parker couples’ 7-year-old son was inside of Sandy Hook Elementary during the school shootings in December 2012. He managed to escape and his parents moved to Parker, where they took proactive efforts to keep schools safe.

School board transparency bill dies – 3/12/14 (Colorado Community Media)
Legislation aimed at creating greater transparency for what happens behind closed doors at school board meetings will not happen this year.

District survey still being weighed — 3/10/14 (Highlands Ranch Herald)
Community members repeatedly have requested a return of the once-annual Douglas County School District parent and employee surveys.

Educators to state: Let’s go above Common Core — 3/6/14 (Denver Post)
Douglas County educators are among those who don’t want the state to implement the national Common Core standards, but their objections have less to do with money and local control than with high standards.

School staffers honored at Apple Awards — 3/3/14 (Lone Tree News)
The 2014 Apple Awards were presented March 1 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. The 8th annual event honors some of Douglas County School District’s best teachers, support staff and administrators.

Douglas County School Board to host ‘unplugged’ forum – 3/2/14 (9News)
PARKER – Over the past few years, emotions have run high in Douglas County over the direction of the district and school board. Monday night, the board wants to try something different to maybe heal some of the angst.